Civil Traffic Offenses

A traffic ticket is a citation alleging that an error was made in the way you drove, whether you had a driver’s license, the condition of your vehicle, or whether your vehicle was current with its registration and insurance. Traffic tickets are not criminal cases.

If you have received a citation for a civil traffic offense(s), there are several options to consider for each charge on your ticket. If all of the charges on your ticket are addressed before your arraignment, you will not have to appear for arraignment.

Plead Responsible/Pay the fine:

  • View the Court bond card (effective September 2025) to see fine amounts or to print for mailing.
  •  You may pay in person at the Court between 7:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday -Thursday
  • Or pay online through Lexis Nexis payment Solutions or AZ Court Pay - convenience fees will apply.

Plead NOT Responsible/Request a Civil Traffic Hearing:

  • Fill out the hearing section on the Court bond card and mail/email it to the court, or appear in person at the Court on or before your COURT DATE listed on the complaint.  Note: if you take the matter to a Civil Traffic Hearing and are found responsible, traffic school will no longer be an option for you.
  • Click here for more information on what to expect at a civil traffic hearing.

Attend Defensive Driving School(DDS):

  • For 'moving traffic' offenses, you may be eligible to take traffic school either online or in person to have one charge dismissed, and no report would be made to MVD (no points).   Please go to the Arizona Courts website to find further information
  • You are only eligible to attend DDS for one charge within 12 months from the date of your last violation for which you were authorized to attend a defensive driving school.
  • The Court, and in many instances DDS, can grant you a continuance if you need more time to complete the class.
  • For more information, you can visit AZDRIVE.com. You may be eligible to attend DDS even if you carry a commercial license.

Failure to appear in court on the date listed on your citation or failure to complete one of the above options listed may result in a default judgment being entered.  May result in driving privileges being suspended and additional monetary costs being imposed. 

Please Note: it is the defendant's responsibility to follow up with the Court to ensure that the payment or correspondence sent via mail or email was received by the Court and that all charges have been resolved on or before the arraignment date.